whooping cough

See also: whooping-cough

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From whooping +‎ cough, from the characteristic-sounding cough that is a major symptom.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈhuːpɪŋ ˌkɒf/
    • (Conservative RP) IPA(key): /ˈhuːpɪŋ ˌkɔːf/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈhuːpɪŋ ˌkɔf/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈwʊpɪŋ ˌkɔf/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

whooping cough (countable and uncountable, plural whooping coughs)

  1. (pathology) A contagious disease of the respiratory system that usually affects children caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, the advanced stage of which is characterised by spasms of coughing followed by a whooping sound during the intake of breath.

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Further reading